Biography, Ruben Armiñana

Professional Background

Dr. Ruben Armñana became the sixth president of Sonoma State University in July, 1992. He is also professor of Political Science and teaches periodically. Armiñana is the former president of the Western College Association and also serves on several CSU systemwide committees.

Citizenship

United States of America

Education

  • Ph.D., Political Science (Public Administration, International Relations, and Comparative
  • Politics), University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1983. Dissertation: Job Satisfaction in Municipal Government: The Incentives Model, 1983.
  • M.A., Latin American Economics and Political Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, 1970. Thesis: Agricultural Policies and Production in Cuba, (1966-1969), 1970.
  • B.A., Economics, Political Science, and Spanish, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, 1968.
  • A.A., Economics and Political Science, Hill Junior College (now Hill College), Hillsboro, Texas, 1966.

Influence and Impact

During Arminana’s tenure as president of Sonoma State University, he has been successful in furthering the academic and instructional programs of the University, leading to Sonoma State University being one of the most popular campuses in the California State University. Currently 12,000-15,000 students apply for approximately 1,800 spaces each year. Under his leadership, the University has experienced a steady increase in private donor investment and has entered into numerous partnership programs with businesses and public institutions in the North Bay region.

He created the Educational Mentoring Team program, was one of the first in the nation to institute an "assured access program" (requiring 24-hour access to personal computing for all students), and supported the founding of the master's degree program in Electrical Engineering Science Department  in conjunction with the North Bay technology community and an Executive MBA program in conjunction with the business community. 

Through his vision, the University is nearing a grand opening of the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center slated for Fall 2012. This acoustically-perfect concert hall will bring in audiences and performers to experience what is already being dubbed, one of the greatest halls in the world.

The Lifelong Learning Institute, a program for students over the age of 50, is extremely successfu and continues to expand. He has renewed the campus' commitment to diversity through the creation of the President’s Diversity Council.

Arminana also has overseen the development of the campus with the opening of the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center and the Environmental Technology Center, the renovation of Salazar Hall (to offer a central location for all student services, along with modern classrooms and laboratories), and the doubling of the size of residential housing to accommodate 3,100 of the campus' 8,200 students. The building of the Recreation Center supports the co-curricular life of students, and the renovation of Darwin Hall enhances the University’s 21st century science programs.

Previous to Sonoma State University, Armiñana served as Vice President for Finance and Development at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona from 1988-1992. Previously he served at Tulane University as Vice President/Assistant to the President. In addition, Dr. Armiñana held faculty appointments at both institutions, in Political Science at Pomona and in International Business and Political Science at Tulane.